LAVER CUP

September 24, 2022

Cameron Norrie

Press Conference

T. FRITZ/C. Norrie

6-1, 4-6, 10-8

Team Europe - 4

Team World - 4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Talk us through your first Laver Cup experience and what it was like with Bjorn Borg at your side and Roger Federer and Andy Murray there as well giving you advice.

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, it was pretty crazy, honestly. I really enjoyed it. It was a shame I came out pretty flat and, yeah, but credits to Taylor. He started well. He was hitting the ball huge.

Yeah, after that first set, I really enjoyed the match and the whole experience of it. Having them in your corner, giving you advice and embracing that was just a lot of fun. I really loved it.

Yeah, very special to be a part of this team specifically, and this group of guys have been wonderful off the court, on the court. Been great for me to practice with them as a whole.

It was disappointing not to get the win, but, yeah, it was a tough match in the end of a couple balls, and I had a couple of chances at 8-All, 9-8. Disappointing, but it was a lot of fun.

Q. Just on the coaching you were getting, is there anything specific that stood out that you actually paid attention above all else, technical or tactical, motivational?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, it was just more motivational. Having those boys there at one point, Roger was like, Yeah, it's a good play to serve/volley.

I actually served/volley and I had the play and I just didn't quite execute the volley. I looked over at him and he was laughing and smiling. He was happy that I actually did it. If Roger Federer is telling you to do something, there is no chance I'm not going to do it, especially out there playing for Team Europe (smiling).

Yeah, especially having Andy there, and Andy was there from the whole match. That was very cool having his support. They were all behind me and all into it, so it was a fun match.

Q. You said you came out flat. This seems to have happened in a few matches recently. Have you reflected on that? Is it the time of year maybe after playing a lot of matches this season or what?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I don't know. I was actually just speaking with my coach and my fitness trainer about that. Yeah, it's something that I need to change. You know, I can't be donating my serve. Especially today, you know, I was 30-All, and I was two points, and serve out and serve out, and I ended up getting broken.

I think it's something, especially at my level against these guys, it's something that I shouldn't be doing, and there is no real reason for that. Especially for me, you know, I don't think I could be any more confident with my year and my results this year.

You know, I think there is only a couple of players or a handful of players that have won for matches or played more matches than me this year. There is no reason I should play a loose game to start and then have these flat starts, but the good news is I'm always finding a way into the match, and I'm always giving myself the best chance.

Especially against guys ranked above Taylor, I want to be knocking on the door and trying to get above in the rankings. Guys I'm trying to beat, like Novak and Stefanos and Casper, they always play very complete matches on their serve. I can't afford to do that and have a slow start or play a loose game here and there against those guys, especially with my game style.

Q. Does Bjorn say anything?

CAMERON NORRIE: I think he says something when he really wants. When he really means it and says something, he's always giving a lot of positive cues and urging you on.

I think more his presence and him sitting there and I'm sitting there, wow, he's seen some matches, seen some moments in tennis, he's been in those moments as well.

So I think his presence and just being there and playing next to him and under him, for me, can go more than whatever he can say. It's just very cool to be a part of that.

To be walking onto court with him right next to me, it is pretty surreal honestly. Like I said, with all those boys in the corner supporting me, I mean, I would never thought I'd be in this position with this team.

Having what I experienced last night was truly special, and it was crazy how just all the emotions from last night and even seeing Rafa tearing up, as well, was pretty crazy.

Yeah, it was a lot, and I feel like the whole, everyone didn't get that much sleep last night in general. It was cool to be a part of it all.

Q. When you were asked to be the second alternate, were you given any sort of indication that it was likely Nadal would pull out? What is it like kind of stepping into his shoes?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I knew obviously what was going on in his current situation, especially with Roger and Rafa, so I knew there was a good chance.

Yeah, first of all, I was just honored to be a part of this team, and I felt like I really deserved to be a part of this team and earned it from what I have done in the last two years and to be among these guys. It was a huge honor to get the call and the selection, so I was just really happy to be a part of it. I really enjoyed it last year, as well.

I knew there was a good chance for me to play, so I was all in, and I was going to be practicing here in London anyway, so it was perfect timing. It was great to get that call and great to make my debut and actually step on the court and fight for Team Europe. It's one of the coolest events that I have ever been a part of, especially this year, like I said.

Q. I know you might play tomorrow, but I just wondered what your schedule looks like over these last six to eight weeks of the season?

CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, for me, I'm going to make a big push for Turin. I think I'm knocking on the door there. I think I'm 11 or 12 on the race at the moment. I'm going to try and make a big push there.

I'm going to Seoul, Tokyo, a week off, Stockholm, Vienna, Paris. Pretty full schedule. A lot of points on the line, and a lot of tennis to be played.

Yeah, like I said, I want to just go all in to try and make Turin.